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unhappiness

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅hap⋅py

[uhn-hap-ee]
–adjective, -pi⋅er, -pi⋅est.
1. sad; miserable; wretched: Why is she so unhappy?
2. unfortunate; unlucky: an unhappy incident.
3. unfavorable; inauspicious: an unhappy omen.
4. infelicitous; unsuitable: an unhappy choice of words.
5. Archaic. causing trouble; reprehensible; troublesome.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME: causing misfortune, objectionable; see un- 1 , happy


un⋅hap⋅pi⋅ly, adverb
un⋅hap⋅pi⋅ness, noun


1. sorrowful, downcast, cheerless, distressed. 2. hapless. 3. unpropitious. 4. inappropriate, inapt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To unhappiness
un·hap·py   (ŭn-hāp'ē)   
adj.   un·hap·pi·er, un·hap·pi·est
  1. Not happy or joyful; sad or sorrowful: unhappy over his friend's departure.

  2. Not satisfied; displeased or discontented: unhappy with her raise.

  3. Not attended by or bringing good fortune; unlucky.

  4. Not suitable; inappropriate: an unhappy choice of words.

un·hap'pi·ly adv., un·hap'pi·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

unhappy 
c.1300, "causing misfortune or trouble (to oneself or others)," from un- (1) "not" + happy. Meaning "unfortunate, unlucky" is recorded from 1375; sense of "miserable, wretched" is recorded from 1390 (originally via misfortune or mishap). Unhappily is attested from c.1340 (cf. O.N. unheppiliga).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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